Big chess clash today between Carlsen and Aronian

The two leaders in the tournament in London play each other this afternoon in a game that could have a big influence on who wins the event

Carlsen, age 22, is competing to play the world champion (Julian Andrews)

LEVON ARONIAN, of Armenia, and Magnus Carlsen, of Norway, maintained their
1.5 point lead over their nearest rivals, Russians Vladimir Kramnik and
Peter Svidler, at the end of yesterday’s seventh round games in the World
Chess Candidates’ tournament in London. Both leading players have five
points.

Against Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan, Carlsen needed to sacrifice the
exchange to ward off threats against his king, and this proved to be
sufficient.

Aronian obtained a small positional advantage against Alexander Grischuk of
Russia, who saved himself by going for active defence.

Kramnik seemed to be in trouble at one point but escaped with a draw when his
opponent Boris Gelfand of Israel refrained from playing actively.

Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine and Peter Svidler of Russia played the shortest
draw of the round in a Scotch that quickly turned into an endgame. All the
games were finished in less than four hours.